BROWARD COUNTY, FL — Residents throughout Broward County are encouraged to attend a special event to recognize World AIDS Day organized by Broward County’s Ryan White Part A Program through the Community Partnerships Division of the County’s Human Services Department.

Leonard Jones, manager of the Ryan White Part A Program, explained that while World AIDS Day is celebrated world-wide on Dec. 1, this event will truly honor the hundreds of individuals and families who have experienced this disease first-hand. “We invite the community to attend this special event, participate and recognize the work we do throughout the year to help those affected by this disease.”

World AIDS Day Ceremony, will be Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 4 to 7 p.m. Hagen Park, 2020 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors.“Facing AIDS: Begins with Me” is the theme of this year’s event that will feature a keynote ad-dress by Duane Cramer, inter-nationally known, award-winning photographer and advocate for HIV awareness and education. Activities will also feature the Lotus Blossom Quilt Ceremony of the AIDS Quilts sponsored by the NAMES Project Foundation, local youth entertainment and much more.

About the Keynote Speaker: Since being diagnosed with HIV 17 years ago, Cramer has become a tireless advocate for HIV awareness and education, using his photography and creative skills to bring attention to the disease. His poignant photos of dignitaries, celebrities and everyday individuals gracefully capture the humanity of his subjects. Cramer’s work, which has been compared to the late Gordon Parks and Herb Ritts for his compelling black and white photographs, has been published around the world.

About Broward County’s Ryan White Part A Program

Broward County’s Ryan White Part A Program is one of the original 16 eligible metropolitan areas established by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Re-sources and Services Administration under the Ryan White Part A Program in 1991. This funding has enabled the County’s program to provide critical life-saving health and support services to more than 7,100 consumers annually through a community partnership of funded providers.

Funds are awarded to agencies that provide consumers of the County’s Ryan White Part A program with quality core medical and support services including:

• Centralized Intake and

Eligibility Determination

• Local AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance

• Outpatient/Ambulatory Medical Care

• Oral Health Care

• Medical Case Management

• Mental Health Services, Substance Abuse Services (Out-patient)

• Food Bank

• Medical Transportation

• Legal Assistance

• Outreach

Broward County also receives additional funding under the HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act from the Ryan White Minority AIDS Initiative to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes for eligible HIV-positive persons from racial/ethnic minorities.